Click here to learn
about this Sponsor:
Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum

Keywords: Match:
Linux makes a move into handhelds
May 04, 2001

By Richard Shim; special to ZDNet . . .

Linux is finding another inroad into the computing world besides PCs and servers.

In a market report on handheld computers due out by the end of the month from research firm IDC, analysts will be tracking Linux-based personal digital assistants (PDAs) for the first time.

"We're going to try to accurately estimate the penetration of Linux on the PDA world, but it's going to be difficult because the market is just so fragmented and new," IDC analyst Kevin Burden said.

Burden anticipates market share for the open-source Linux operating system will be very small compared with Palm's OS and Microsoft's Pocket PC, which have been in the market longer and are more established. But, "two years down the road, we may be talking about Linux a lot more," he said.

"For the next couple years, until a PDA-compatible version of Linux is available, we don't expect to see Linux mount an assault on the Palm OS, Pocket PC and EPOC markets," Merrill Lynch analyst Melanie Hollands said in a report.

In the short term, the biggest obstacle for Linux is that it doesn't have a governing body to steer the development of the operating system, according to Burden.

The same can be said about the development of Linux for PCs. Linux is open-source software that depends on a community of developers to expand and update the operating system.

The main benefit of Linux is that it allows any developer to manipulate the source code to fit particular needs without having to depend on a single supplier for the code. The code is also free, which helps to reduce the cost of products that eventually use the OS. However, this also proves to be a problem when companies try to standardize on the operating system, because they have to support the OS and do their own work to develop and update it.

In the PC world, Linux developers often focus on a version of the operating system from a company with growing business prospects, such as the Linux versions put out by market leader Red Hat or European contender Mandrake.

The same is beginning to happen in the PDA world. Currently, there are three commercially available adaptations of Linux for PDAs, including Qt Palmtop Environment from Trolltech, Microwindows PDA Operating Environment from Century Software and PocketLinux PDA Framework from Transvirtual Technologies.

Hardware manufacturers are also announcing products using Linux. The most notable support comes from Sharp. Smaller manufacturers have also announced future Linux products, including Agenda Computing's VR3, G.Mate's Yopy, HNT's Exilien, Mitac's Cat, VTech's Helio, and SK Telecom's IMT2000 WebPhone.

The devices may face obstacles when it comes to compatibility between gadgets and operating systems.

"Without a standard OS, devices may not be able to speak to each other or use the same software, essentially making them islands when it comes to sharing information, and that is a big detriment," Burden said. "The key to any OS is application support. Without it, you're starting from ground zero with every OS and device using that OS."

Agenda Computing Chief Strategy Officer Ian Eliot responded that "there's a certain amount of hype there that is aimed at discrediting Linux."

There are a couple thousand developers working on applications for the VR3, according to Eliot, and about 200 applications already available. Eliot added that the VR3 will have about 25 applications when it begins shipping in the third week of May.



Related stories: Talk back! Do you have questions or comments on this article? talkback here



(Click here for further information)


FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux
Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals.

Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering
With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing¿s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size.

Data Monitoring with NightStar LX
Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn¿t leave you stranded in the dark. It¿s more than just a debugger, it¿s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that¿s positively illuminating.

Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta
This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments.

High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD
This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail.

Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source
Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss.

Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms
The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms.

Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems
This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG¿s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system.

7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

 


Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!
Free weekly newsletter
Enter your email...
Click here for a profile of each sponsor:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
(Become a sponsor)

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Check out the latest Linux powered...

Mobile phones!

MIDs, UMPCs
& tablets

Mobile devices

Other cool
gadgets



BREAKING NEWS

• Tactical Linux computer muscles up
• Virtualization technology targets multi-core ARM
• Die-shrunk x86 SoC draws 2 Watts at 1GHz
• Webinars explore RTOS-to-Linux driver migration
• Open phone goes robotic
• MontaVista touts Android readiness
• USB Linux key targets netbooks
• Via panel PC resists shock, liquids
• Linux provider touts support award
• World's smallest humanoid robot can run Linux
• Linux connects TVs to 'Net video
• Mot camera-phone runs widgets
• Linux-ready MILS kernel gains POSIX
• Multimedia processor plays H.264 video
• $7 ARM9 SoC gains mainline support


Most popular stories -- past 90 days:
• Open source phone goes mass-market
• Tinest Linux system, yet?
• Garmin Nav devices run Gnome Linux
• ARM9 board boots Debian in 0.69 seconds
• Low-cost laptop runs Linpus Linux
• Linux-friendly Beagle fetches $150
• Mini Linux PC breaks $100 barrier
• Open source camera records geotagged video to SATA HDD
• Open set-top box ships
• First $100 laptop runs Linux


DesktopLinux headlines:
• "Moonlight" ready to shine
• Adobe unleashes 64-bit Flash
• Debian Lenny installer arrives
• Ubuntu announces ARM port
• Amazon offers Linux XOs
• Windows 7 "no threat" to netbook Linux
• Creative frees Sound Blaster driver code
• Linux, netbooks threaten Microsoft's fat profits
• Ibex inspires GNOME switch
• Linux to outship Windows in 2009?


Also visit our sister site:


Sign up for LinuxDevices.com's...

news feed

Home  |  News  |  Articles  |  Polls  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.